Read on the GuardianLewis Hamilton Calls for Africa to 'Take Back' Control from Former Colonial Powers
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has made a powerful political statement on the eve of the new F1 season, calling for a movement to 'take Africa back' from European powers. The British driver, who is F1's first black race driver, criticized former colonial rulers for continuing to exert undue influence over the continent and its resources. Hamilton, who has roots in Togo and Benin, expressed his pride in Africa and his desire to see the continent's nations unite to reclaim their sovereignty. He also reiterated his long-standing ambition to race in an African Grand Prix before retiring, highlighting the absence of an F1 race on the continent as a significant omission in the sport's global calendar.
On the eve of the 2026 Formula One season in Melbourne, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton shifted focus from racing lines to geopolitical lines, issuing a powerful call for Africa to reclaim its autonomy from former colonial powers. The 41-year-old driver, celebrated as F1's first black competitor, framed his comments not just as a sporting ambition but as a deeply personal and political mission, intertwining his desire for an African Grand Prix with a broader critique of enduring colonial influence.
A Champion's Critique: Colonial Control and Resources
Hamilton's comments, reported by The Guardian, went far beyond typical pre-season racing talk. He explicitly stated that Africa is being "controlled" by European powers and argued that this control is directly linked to the continent's vast resources. "It is the most beautiful part of the world and I don't like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it," Hamilton said. He called for unity among African nations to reverse this dynamic: "I'm really hoping the people running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back. Take it back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British."
Personal Roots and a Sporting Mission
Hamilton's advocacy is rooted in his own heritage. He revealed, "I've got roots from a few different places there, like Togo and Benin. I'm really proud of that part of the world." This personal connection fuels his parallel campaign within Formula One to establish a race on the African continent. He expressed frustration at the lack of progress, noting he has been "fighting in the background to get a grand prix" for six or seven years. His determination is clear: "I don't want to leave the sport without having a grand prix there, without getting to race there... I'm going to be here for a while until that happens. That would be amazing, given that I'm half African. There's one on every other continent, why not Africa?"
Potential Host Nations and Broader Implications
Drawing from his travels, Hamilton suggested potential locations for a future race, praising Rwanda as "spectacular" and South Africa as "stunning." While his primary platform is motorsport, his comments about reclaiming Africa place him within a wider discourse on post-colonialism, resource sovereignty, and global equity. By leveraging his immense global platform, Hamilton is using his voice to highlight issues of economic control and political influence that extend far beyond the racetrack. His statement challenges both the sporting world to address its geographical gaps and the political world to examine ongoing power structures.
Lewis Hamilton's call to action represents a significant moment where elite sport intersects with global politics. It underscores how modern athletes are increasingly using their prominence to advocate for social and political change. His dual focus—on bringing Formula One to Africa and on Africa taking back control of its own destiny—frames the continent not as a passive recipient but as a potential powerhouse, aligning his sporting legacy with a broader vision of empowerment and self-determination.
